By Parker T. Williamson, The Layman Episcopal Church (USA) lawyers who sue congregations for their property can call on a special counsel. He is Saint Ives, named by the denomination as the patron saint of lawyers. In his honor, ECUSA has allocated a $3 million line item in its budget to pay legal fees.

The Presbytery of San Francisco’s newly-adopted dismissal policy pledges not to initiate pre-emptive civil litigation and offers its congregations the opportunity to leave the denomination with their property if reconciliation is no longer an option. Read more here.

By Edward Terry, The Layman Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church in Venetia, Pa., has won the fight for its property and added another victory for those battling to have church property cases decided on the neutral principles of law. On Friday, Peters Creek Elder and Legal Committee Chairman Raymond Peterson were looking forward to sharing... Continue Reading

BY MICHAEL MCNUTT, The Oklahoman Passage of a bill to require the owner of church property to be clearly stated in the deed or trust agreement would violate long-held principles of law and could lead the state down a “slippery slope” of becoming entangled in church affairs, religious leaders told a House panel Thursday. The... Continue Reading

At is October 1, 2009 stated meeting, the Rocky Mountain Presbytery (RMP) adopted a Pastoral Letter on the “Affirmations and Denials on Scripture.” The resolution had come to RMP from the Session of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church of Castle Rock, Colo. The Cornerstone Session adopted the “Affirmations and Denials” because of the apparent development of views... Continue Reading

Two elders have resigned from Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, saying the mega-church’s new pastor is retaliating against his critics. Divisions deepened at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, the Fort Lauderdale mega-church, as two elders resigned Tuesday night following the first service of a breakaway congregation on Sunday. The two have accused Pastor Tullian Tchividjian and his officers... Continue Reading

PCA Retirement & Benefits, Inc. (RBI), the retirement agency of the Presbyterian Church in America, has hired a new retirement plan record keeper, Northwest Plan Services (NWPS). Due to this vendor change, certain addresses and account login procedures will change. Further information about this change will be communicated over the next few months through web... Continue Reading

A report from the Sun-Sentinel: A new congregation may be in the birthing by dissident members of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church who failed to oust Pastor Tullian Tchividjian last week. The dissidents, who lost a congregational vote Sept. 20 to fire Tchividjian from the Fort Lauderdale church, held a worship service in Coconut Creek on... Continue Reading

At the 87th Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of the Siouxlands (PS) on September 24, 2009, the Presbytery rejected an investigative committee recommendation to find a strong presumption of guilt that a member was teaching contrary to the Standards in the area of baptism. The Presbytery further concluded that he was not teaching Federal Vision... Continue Reading

By Don K. Clements The Miraloma Community Church (MCC) is located on top of the highest point in the City of San Francisco. Looking out their windows gives you some of the most magnificent views imaginable. It is a small, community church, a member of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) denomination. Here is how... Continue Reading